Switch



July 149 1931 c. H. H. RODANET 1,814,337

SWITCH Filled Aug. 22, 1929 Patented July 14, 1931 UNITED STATESg PATENT OFFICE CHARLES HILAIRE HENRI RoDANEr, or VERSAILLES, FRANCE, AssIeNoR 'ro THE SOCIETY ETABLISSEMENTS En. JAEGER, or LEVALLOIS-PERRET, FRANCE SWITCH Application Bled August 22, 19'29, Serial No. 387,780, and in France September 1, 1928.

part can have two movements: a movement of rotation and a movement of translation, `the movement of rotation beinO used for the switching of the lighting and 'luminous signalling circuits, the movement of translation being used for opening or closing the acoustic signalling circuit; then, in actuating this movable part by a rod passing axially through the steering pillar, and termi? nated by a suitable operating member.

Switches the movable part of which can rotate and move in axial translation are already known, but their application at the end of the steering pillars of motor vehicles is new, and constitutes the main part of the invention. This new application presents this very important advantage that it allows of avoiding the passage of any electric connection through the steering pillar, and all the inconveniences inherent to this faulty arrangement. pillar pass only purely mechanical operating members, and preferably a simple rod.

The invention consists also in constructing the switch in such a manner that its iixed part is constituted by a casing made of moulded insulating material, in which all the connections are embedded, the said material leaving only apparent the contact pieces, within the casing, and, at the exterior, the connecting terminals, the current entering through a terminal, the position of which is diametrally opposite that of the terminals of the 'external circuits. This arrangement considerably diminishes the risks of accidental closing of the circuits.

The invention further consists in providing the casing, on the face vwhich lits against the .securing base member, with centering projections also adapted to prevent the casing from rotating and fitting into recesses provided in the said base member; and to im-` mobilize the casing in translation by means In fact, through the steering Vhas an abutting finger of hooks engaging with a circular ledge on the bottom of the casing. This arran ement allows the builder of the car to place t e said hooks in any position which he thinks best.

The accompanying drawings illustrate, `by way of example only, a form of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation made according to line A-A of Fig. 2. y

Figure 2 is a top plan view corresponding to Fig. 1. i

Figure 3 is an underside plan view.

Figure 4 is an underside plan view of the, movable part only.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the fixed part only.

In this example, the fixed part of the .switch is constituted by a casing l, made of moulded material, within which are embedded all the electric connections. Within the casing, the contact pieces 2 only are apparent, these contact pieces cooperating with the contacts of the movable part, as will be explained later on, and, outside the casing, the terminals 3 of the external circuits and the current su ply terminal 4 onl are apparent.

As a ovel stated, the position of the terminal 4 is diam- Y etrally opposite that of the terminals 3. In this way, the current supply Wire' is no longer adjacent to the wires of the external 'circuit so that the majority of the accidental closings of the circuits is thus avoided.

Within the casing 1 are arranged, in a circle, the contact pieces 2 corresponding to the contacts for closing vthe lighting and luminous signalling circuits. In the said casing 1 are also arranged, at the bottom of a central cavity 5, the contact pieces 2" corresponding to the contacts for closing the acoustic signalling circuit.

The movable part of the switch is constituted by a kind of piston 6 which can either rotate or move in translation within the cylindrical bore of the casin 1. The said piston extending within a groove 8 provided in the cylindrical edges of the casing 1. thus limited, and itis to beunderstood that the said finger 7 does not prevent in any way its movement of translation.

The rotation of the piston 6 is als i The piston 6 is provided with a central rod 9 ternunated by a prismatic portion 10 on which is mounted an insulating plate 11, provided with a contact strip lating plate 11 is, therefore, rotatively driven by the piston 6. Moreover, the'said plate 1s pushed, by a spring 13, against an abutment 14, which abutment is constituted by two insulating plates 13 and 16 holding a contact ring or crown 17 for the acoustic signalling circuit. A guide rod 18 passes through both insulating lates and the contact ring, then it enters a le 19 of the piston rod, and is secured, at 20, by riveting, crushing or in any other'manner. The guide rod 18 moves in a central hole 21 of the casing.

The piston 6 is provided with a recess 22, in which can enter the flat end of an operating rod axially passing through the steering pillar, Vand. terminated, above the hand wheel, by a suitable operating member.

The operation is as follows:

For actuating the acoustic signal, the driver presses on the operating member; the operating rod, thus actuated in translation, pushes the piston 6. The contact ring 17 then comes in engagement with the two contact pieces 2b and closes the acoustic signalling circuit. Preferably, as illustrated, the contact ring 17 will be out out so as to form many slightly bent or curved points, in such a manner as to constitute a multitude of contacts, and ensure, in all/circumstances, the positive closing of the signalling circuit. During thev movement of translation, the spring 13 has been compressed, so that it suiiices for the driver to release the operating member for causing the said spring to automatically break the signalling circuit.

For switching the lighting or luminous sigv nalling circuits, the driver causes the operating member 'to rotate about its axis. The transmission of this rotation to the piston 6 is effected by means of the'operating rod passing through the steering pillar and by the fiat portion fitted into the recessA 22.

The piston 6, by rotating, transmits its movement to the insulating plate 11. The contacts 23, orl projections 23 of the contact strip 12, which were in engagement with the contact pieces 2a of the casing, or withthe recesses corresponding' to the position of rest in which no circuit is closed, move away from the said contact pieces or recesses by compressing the spring 13. As soon as the said conta-cts or projections come againI opposite other contact pieces 2a, the spring 13 relaxes, engaging the said contacts with the said contact pieces. In this way,.the closing of the circuit and the correct are positively ensured.

On its rear face, the casing 1 is provided with a circular recess 24, whereas, on its front face, it is provided with centering proj ections 25. The saidcentering projections are 12. The insuinvention, some o position ofthe switch adapted toy enter correspondnig formed ina securing base member belonging to the vehicle, this ensuring the correct angular position of the casing. The latter is er, without having to modify the casing in any wa -v 'libe form of construction described is capable of receiving numerous modifications which, reproducin the main features of the them or their combinations, are obviously included in the scope of the invention.

What I/claim as m invention and desire to secure by Letters atent is 1. kA switch of the class described comprising a casing having a recess therein, contact strips on the base of the recess,`a circular series of contact pieces in the base of the recess, a piston member slidably and rotatably mounted in the recess, a rod fixed to the piston and movable therewith, la late of insulating material slidably mounte on the rod and rotatable therewith, contact projections carried-by the plate for selective engagement 'with the contact pieces upon rotation of the piston, a guide rod slidably connecting the piston rod and the casing, a contact ring encircling the guide rod and adapted to en age t-he contact strips upon axial movement o t e piston. 2. A switch of the class described comprising a casing of insulating material having a recess therein, a piston, a rod for the piston, said piston and rod being slidably and rotatably engagedin the recess, a contact plate slidably and rotatably associated with the piston rod, the base of the recess having contact plates thereon, avcontact ring having a plurality of oints carried thereby for engagement wit the contact strips upon axial movement of the piston, contact pieces in the base of the recess, contact projections carried by the plate for selectively engaging the l contact pieces, a spring encircling the rod and having its ends engaged respectively .with i 

